Ball lever and lift rod connection



March 24, 1964 s. A. YOUNG 3,125,764

BALL LEVER AND LIFT ROD CONNECTION Filed Jul 10, 196i ll E 75 .0 2.22 "Z/W/ .28 2a a .3/

INVENTOR. Lil/1. You/VG BY United States Patent tau! 3,125,764 BALL LEVER AND LIFT ROD CONNECTION Stephen A. Young, RR. 4, Monticello, Ind. Filed July 10, 1961, Ser- No. 122,897 7 Claims. (Cl. 4204) This invention relates to lavatory drains, and more particularly to the construction and operation of the type of drain known as a pop-up drain.

Heretofore in the particular type of drain which is contemplated by this invention, the operating instrumentalities have included what is known as a lift rod and a ball rod or lever, which are desirably and necessarily connected together for movement, the latter by the former, raising and lowering of the lift rod effecting a rotative movement of the lever and a corresponding up and down movement of the plug of the pop-up drain.

Heretofore such connections as were provided for effecting the connection, necessitated more or less complicated means involving expensive or relatively expensive connecting parts which in and of themselves were some problem to manufacture, and mounting of the same involving still further effort on the part of the plumber when the connection is to be effected.

The primary purpose of the instant invention is to substantially simplify the connection of the lift rod and lever, so that lifting will rotate the lever, the connection being susceptible of assembly and disassembly by even the most unskilled person, and a plumber being readily able to make such connection in a minimum amount of time irrespective of the particular relationship which must be ordinarily established as between the said lever and rod.

The primary object of this invention is therefore to provide simple connecting means of the lift rod and lever so that operation of the lavatory drain is effected as respects the pop-up type so that the drain can be adapted or connected into and operated in conjunction with substantially any of the various types of lavatory fixtures which are commonly provided.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a connection between the lever and rod which is of the utmost simplicity and infinitely adjustable involving the provision of parts which in and of themselves are very inexpensive and yet equally as effective as those formerly provided for a similar purpose.

Other and further objects of the invention will be understood from a consideration of the specification appended hereto, and disclosed in the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a typical pop-up drain and connections therefor with the specific connection of this invention in place for connecting the lift rod and ball lever.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the connection on a somewhat enlarged scale to more clearly illustrate the same.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view showing one of the parts which forms the connection in full lines, the dotted line position indicating position to be assumed when adjustment is undertaken.

FIGURE 4 is a view in plan of one of the members in its fiattened'condition, prior to being folded into the condition illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the lavatory fixture itself is generally denoted 1 and is only shown in a fragmentary way, illustrating the shelf portion at 2 and the bottom of the basin at 3, the shelf portion 2 supporting thereabove a lavatory fitting 4 incorporating therein the housing 5 through which extends in a vertical position a lift rod generally denoted 6, including a knob 7 at the upper end thereof whereby the rod 6 may be raised and lowered, the rod passing through an opening 8 in the shelf portion 2 of the lavatory 1.

3,125,764 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 Mounted at the drain opening 9 of the lavatory fixture, is a pop-up generally denoted 10, including the body 11, which is in turn provided at its upper end 12 with a suitable flange seated at the said drain opening in the lavatory bottom 3, the body 11 being further provided with a tail piece or outlet at 13.

Suitable connection of the body 11 is effected by means of a threaded nut 14 and washer 15 for sealing the same, whereby the flange 12 may be firmly maintained in the drain outlet 9 previously mentioned.

Operable within the body 11 so as to be raised and lowered therein is a plug 16 equipped with a seat 17 adapted to engage with a corresponding seat 18 in the flange 12 previously mentioned, whereby when the plug 16 is lowered, the seats 17 and 18 are brought into conjunction to shut the water off within the fixture 1.

The plug 16 is equipped at its lower end with a suitable connection 29, which is in turn engaged with the inner end 21 of a ball lever 22, the ball lever 22 being rotatably supported on a ball 23 in a suitable connection 24 extending from the body 11.

The ball lever 22 is additionally provided with a suitable spring and washer arrangement 25 so that in cooperation with cam portions 26 the lever 22 may be maintained in the open and shut conditions so-to-speak as the same are imparted to the plug 16 previously mentioned.

The other end of the ball lever 22, namely the outer end at 27 is arranged to swing arcuately as will be readily understood, and it is therefore necessarily connected to the lift rod 6, the connection being the primary object and advance provided herein, and now to be described.

The connection heretofore referred to and generally denoted 28, incorporates novel means, comprising what are essentially strap members, more particularly shown in their flattened condition in FIGURE 4 and denoted 29, which members are formed with enlarged end portions 30 and 31 in which suitable openings 32 and 33 respectively are formed, these openings 32 and 33 being of somewhat greater diameter than the diameter of the lift rod 6 or lever 22, these members being preferably round rods and thus the openings 32 and 33 likewise similarly round.

The member 29 is formed of spring steel or similar spring material of relatively thin cross section and includes the reduced center portion 34 for purposes which will be understood as this description proceeds.

During the manufacture of the strap member 29, as the same will be designated, it is caused to be folded or formed into the condition shown in FIGURE 3 whereby the ends 345 and 31 are arranged so that the openings 32 and 33 are substantially opposite one another and axially arranged when the ends 30 and 31 are moved into the dotted line position shown in said FIGURE 3.

When the member of FIGURE 3 is subsequently tempered after it is formed, it will thus be a spring-like part and include the ability to be forced into the condition illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 3 by pressing the ends 30 and 31 toward one another.

When the ends 30 and 31 are moved into the condition of the dotted lines in FIGURE 3, the openings 32 and 33 may be caused to be entered by the rods either 6 or 22, since the members supported thereon are identical, and thereafter when the ends 3%) and 31 are released, the edges of the openings 32 and 33 will bite into the rod and maintain the member 29 in position thereon against movement therealong.

With the foregoing understanding of the construction and actual operation of the members 29, connection will be made by positioning one of said members in the condition as is illustrated for example in FIGURE 1 and the place where connection 28 is desired to be effected, this part for example being denoted A for purposes of refsassy/ea erence and thereby located on the lift rod 6. As previously explained release of the ends 39 and 31 will cause the openings 32 and 33 to bite into the rod 6 and be positioned thereon as desired.

Thereafter the loop formed by the member 29 in conjunction with the rod 6, is caused to be positioned around the end 27 of the lever 22 if only one of the units is located in place, which operating condition is feasible, but not preferred, the manipulation of the lift rod thereafter causing the lever 22 to be moved arcuately as will be understood.

If this unit illustrated at A is not further provided with an additional identical part, obviously the rod 6 will slide along the end 27 of the lever 22 and not be as effective in its operation as would otherwise be the case.

In view of this possibility, a further identical member 29 is shown as having been positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 1 at B with the ends 39 and 31 thereof on opposite sides of the rod 6 and of course the member A, whereby the condition illustrated in FIGURE 2, and more clearly showing the relationship in some respects, exists.

It is apparent with this arrangement of the members A and B, neither rod 6 nor lever 22 can do more than pivot relatively one another at their juncture as permitted by the interengagement of the respective members provided by the loops formed by the members 29 of A and B.

In order to adjust the motion of the lever 22, the members A or B may be moved on the respective rod 6 or lever 22 to properly impart the necessary motion to the plug 16 whereby opening and closing of the same is effected.

While it is desirable that the members A and B, be identical, for economy of manufacture, it is likewise understood that if for some reason the identical nature of the members is not desired as long as the type of action referred to is provided, the invention hereof is effective for the purposes described. It is perhaps desirable to point out that if either one of the members A or B is used, the other member can be effectively limited as respects movement of the parts by means of washers or cotter pins or similar parts aflixed to either of the rods and adapted to cooperate with either of the members A or B. The nature of the position of the member B is substantially identical to the position previously described as respects A, each on the rod on which it is mounted.

I claim:

1. In drain construction of the class described, in combination, a movable drain plug, an actuating lever connected to said plug for raising and lowering the plug, a lift rod to operate the actuating lever, and means to connect the lever and rod comprising a spring-like strap member engaging the lift rod above and below the lever and forming a closed loop in conjunction with said rod, said loop being of substantially greater area than the lever enclosed thereby, to facilitate pivotal movement of the lever and rod with respect to one another.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second strap member of similar configuration engages the lever at opposite sides of the lift rod in a similar manner.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strap members are generally U-shaped spring parts.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strap members are generally U-shaped spring parts of substantially identical construction, and the free ends of said parts engage the rod and lever as set forth.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second strap member engages the lever at opposite sides of the lift rod, said members are of substantially identical construction and include openings engaging the lever and rod.

6. In drain construction of the class described, in combination, a movable drain plug, an actuating lever connected to said plug for raising and lowering the plug, a lift rod to operate the actuating lever, and means to connect the rod and lever to facilitate movement of one by the other comprising a strap member on each, each said member engaging the other and permitting relative turning movement of said rod and lever.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein each strap member forms a loop in conjunction with the rod and lever to which such member is connected, said loop comprising the connection stated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 977,764 Brownlee Dec. 6, 1910 2,179,582 Wiley Nov. 14, 1939 2,288,767 Young July 7, 1942 2,833,574 Fife May 6, 1958 2,894,774 Dudash July 14, 1959 2,971,355 \Valsh Feb. 14, 1961 

1. IN DRAIN CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, IN COMBINATION, A MOVABLE DRAIN PLUG, AN ACTUATING LEVER CONNECTED TO SAID PLUG FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE PLUG, A LIFT ROD TO OPERATE THE ACTUATING LEVER, AND MEANS TO CONNECT THE LEVER AND ROD COMPRISING A SPRING-LIKE STRAP MEMBER ENGAGING THE LIFT ROD ABOVE AND BELOW THE LEVER AND FORMING A CLOSED LOOP IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAID ROD, SAID LOOP BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER AREA THAN THE LEVER ENCLOSED THEREBY, TO FACILITATE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE LEVER AND ROD WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER. 